9 Saves Against Monaco – Is This Tottenham Star A One Man Show For The Club?

Once again, Tottenham flopped in Europe’s elite competition as they failed to advance to the round of 16 and subsequently came to the end of their Champions League campaign in the group stage following their loss at the hands of Monaco at the Stade Louis II on Tuesday night.

Spurs headed into the game needing at least a draw in order to keep their chances of booking a spot in the next rounds alive, having won just 1 of their last 4 games, drawn 1 and lost the other 2.

An opening goal from Djibril Sidibé 3 minutes after the restart threatened to end the north Londoners’ campaign, but Kane restored their hope with a well-converted spot kick to secure an equaliser.

However, a Thomas Lemar strike just seconds afterwards sealed Tottenham’s fate, and they will now hope to get at least a draw against CSKA Moscow at the Wembley Stadium on the final matchday in order to make it to the Europa League’s round of 32.

While Tottenham’s outfield players gave a very disappointing performance, to say the least, the side’s skipper Hugo Lloris had an outing that was in stark contrast to his men’s. But sadly, it wasn’t enough to help his team remain in the continental showpiece.

The French international was on hand to deny Falcao’s 11th-minute spot kick with a low dive to the right after Dier had fouled Fabinho in the box. However, it was just 1 of the many logic-defying saves the 29-year-old would be called upon to make on the night.

The zenith of what was a solid display was a really tremendous reflex stop and world-class goalkeeping that saw him push Glik’s volley from less than 10 yards over the bar following a spot-on free kick from Lemar.

In total, Lloris made 9 saves on the night – the highest thus far by a goalie in a Champions League match this season, and he definitely was the star of the day.

He also brought his sweeper-keeper ability to fore, making 63 touches – a number which only 3 other players at both ends surpassed. The France national team captain proved to be good with his feet as he played 9 accurate long balls in the game, with just a single player playing more.

Tottenham do have their goalie to thank as they would have easily conceded more on the night, and the players let him down by not performing to their best abilities like Lloris did. The number 1 culprit being Son. He missed a one-on-one chance with only Subasic to beat following Alli’s beautifully carved out gilt-edged chance that had put him through on goal.

The returning Alli was far from his best too as he slashed a late chance wide. Save the penalty he scored, Kane wasn’t able to exert any sort of dominance in the game with the French hosts proving too much for him to handle. Sissoko also had to be bundled off after an hour of an uninspired display.

Without Vertonghen, Walker and Alderweireld in defence, the quartet of Trippier, Wimmer, Dier and Rose were out of all sorts at the back, with the left-back failing to efficiently close down Sidibe who put in a cross through to Lemar for Monaco’s winning goal.

It was definitely all about Lloris on Spurs’ biggest night on the continent, but unfortunately, football isn’t a 1-man show, else his performances would have earned his side the much-needed win or at worst a hope-giving draw.